HORTENSIUS, QUINTUS

flourished 3rd century BC dictator of Rome in 287 who ended two centuries of struggle between the orders (the plebeians' fight to gain political equality with patricians). When the plebeians, pressed by their patrician creditors, seceded to the Janiculan hill, Hortensius was commissioned to end the strife. He passed a law (the Lex Hortensia) whereby the resolutions of the plebeians were made binding on all the citizens without requiring the approval of the Senate. He is said to have died while still dictator.